It can be the worst thing to ever happen to you
 

My wife had a discogram 3 days ago. We were recomended to a neurosurgeon by our insurance company and he orderd the procedure. With the countless x-rays, MRI's, and CT's that my wife has had, the problem with her back was more than clear without having to get a discogram. During and after the procedure, it was the worst pain that she had ever experienced. After having two children, she said it was 10 times worse than child birth. It took her a full day just to be able to roll over in bed and two full days for her to be able to walk very short distances. It wasn't until later that I discovered that the procedure has become almost obsolete and that there are other, non-invasive test that can determine the same information. It is recomended by my radiologist friends ***** that if your doctor orders this, get a second opinion before you go through with it. It might be the most painful thing you ever go through.

I had a discogram done prior to surgery ordered by ortho surgeon. YES it was very painful and I thought I had a high pain tolerance. I will tell you that when I went for pre-op with Neuro surgeon he told me that I should not have been put through a discogram as he confirmed what it did by placing his finger under my left big toe and having me try to push against his finger with toe. When I did this my toe was like a limp noodle. it went all the way down against his finger. he then pricked my toe and I could feel nothing. He took my toe and wiggled it around and I was in shock that it was as it was i had no clue. He said that my big toe was dead and this confirmed that L5 was gone. so you may go to a neurosurgeon and see what he if he does the toe exam. I spiked a temp on the 4th day and they had me get to the hospital and admitted me as they thought I may have spinal infection from the discogram. I was kept in for 24 hrs. Had surgery 2weeks later and Iam 6 mo's post-op and going in for hardware removal and granulation tissue removal on the 27th of this month and Iam scared witless. I had to have hardware injections to confirm if it was the hardware that was causing an increase in pain and it confirmed even more. I will say that the discogram was painful, but It is good when a surgeon wants these test done before they do surgery to make sure there is just cause for surgery. Good Luck and I will keep you in my prayers and keep us posted on your decision and or outcome.

I got into a car accident over 3 years ago, x-rays and MRI's didn't show any signs of anything unusual. I've tried injections, at least 3 different places of physical therapy, chiropractor, and massage therapy (which helped a little bit). My doctor from the Virginia Spine Institute wanted to get a Discography done to see whether he could find something. I was told that it could be uncomfortable if he found the painful spot and that I would be sadated just enough to where I was awake but I was a little numb. I have alot of anxiety from the accident and told him to watch my anxiety level so I don't freak out, which he said he would do. When he was doing the test I didn't feel much, but when he got to the L3-L4 area the pain was unbearable. My anxiety level spiked and the pain was to much to handle. He wouldn't give me any more medicine but he said he found the trouble spot. After he got the test results back he said that one of my discs was messed up and the only way to fix it would be a spinal fusion. I'm nervous about getting the surgery, I've had 2 other opinions and they both said that surgery would be best but there was no promise it would get completely fixed. I'm hoping to get the surgery done by the end of the year but if anyone has any information, stories or anything that could help, I'd greatly apreciate it.

Chrissy4581 - I am having a discogram on Thursday (and now am terrified about the pain). My issue is DDD where I have no disc at L4L5 and have discussed spinal fusion at that level. I was wondering if you had your surgery and if so, how are you feeling? Thanks so much!

Completely NOT looking forward to Thursday.

Scared and needing answers
 

I have had Chonic Back pain for about three years now. And it just seems to be getting worse. I have burning like feeling downboth flank, down back of both legs to my outer calfs and ankles. I have a sciatica nerve that tends to rotate between the right and left. The doctors tell me there is herniations in the L3-L4-L5-S1. They have done two MRI about a year apart and obvious that the buldges and herniations are getting worse. I did therapy and the physical therapist is actually the one who suggested to my doctor to get me into a Ortho. I have had an epidural which did absolutely nothing, a facet block which lasted about 2 weeks, and a Bilateral facet block that has given me a bit relief but the burning and pinching sensations are there again after almost a month. A week ago they did a mylegram, which I have to say was the most painful thing I can remember. The whole reason for this was because the Spine Specialist I saw here in Little rock told me that ultimately I had to have surgery. What he called a fusion and stated the L3-L4 and teh L5-S1. The Surgeon was the one to send me for the myelogram. Today I saw him for the results of the myelogram and now he wants a discogram. I don't know what to do anymore. I am tired of hurting and no answers. Before I could even finish asking the questions he got a phone call and walked out. After waiting for 30 more minutes (after the two hour wait to see him with an appoinment i might add) The nurse told me she would call me with the scheduled discogram date and information I would need. What do I do? another painful test and still no answers?
Can someone please help me here....advice please....

Discogram
 

does anybody still have pain caused by discogram?

spinal fusion
 

I had spinal fusion surgery last November. It is truly no big deal. I have had lots of pain following a variety of surgeries over the years and I can honestly say this spinal fusion was the easiest of all my surgeries. It can sometimes cause a domino effect in your spine however and it appears that I am now having pain that did not exist before the surgery. The first time my arm was just numb. My neck was in terrible shape so the surgery was a MUST. Now my neck hurts and he wants a discogram. I will not consent to it. It looks like the problem can be seen on my MRI and that should be enough. If anyone else thinks I should have the discogram let me know because right now the answer is a big fat NO.

Discogram
 

I have been told by surgeon that I need to have a discogram. I am worried about this even more after reading the posts. My surgeon cannot pinpoint why my pain is so bad and from the MRI and CT scans he can see the same things wrong he just is not sure which one is hurting me so much. I trust my surgeon as he operated on me 3 1/2 years ago for a pinched nerve. I am just worried about the drive home after the test, it will take us about 3 hours to get home and when I was given my last set of pain shots that did not work I was in so much pain I cried almost all the way home. Do most doctors offer an IV pain killer to help with this test. I asked my surgeon if I could be put to sleep for it but he said I was the only one who could say what was wrong. I have had back pain continuously since 2006 except for a couple months and then it got bad again. I guess I am just loking for some reassurance, I am tired of hurting but my pain level never decreases even with a pain patch and pills. Do those of you who have had this think there is something easier that will give answers.

Sedated discogram
 

This is my first post ad I have to say that I put off having a discrogram because of all the horid stories I read on the internet. I had mine done yesterday at Select Pain in the Tollway in Dallas. When I got they were all so sweet and on time. They called my name and then I changed into a gown and then they put an iv in with anitibiotlics and wheeled me off to the procedure room. The Doctor Rodrigue was his staff was unblevable supportive and caring. Dr put me asleep to place the needles. Then they woke me up and tested each disc one bu one It hurt for only for 5 seconds maybe. Then did noext dics and next disc and then that I all I remember I guess they put be back asleep to take out needles. I work up near the cat scan and then I went home less than two hours after I arrived there at Select Plan. If anyone is in the DFW area you should have the discorgram done there. A piece of cake and like I said they were the nicest and comfortting people I evev met. The nurse Aethestic rubs your should while she is giving you progel so you will sleep during needle placement and all the worker there are above excellent in caring and taking care of you. I would advise anyone to use Seelct Pain the on the tollway and I promise you you have only have 15 seconds of pain so do not worry. Just go there and see Dr Rodrigue and he is voted as a best doctor in d magazine and i can see whay he was.

About to have a second discography
 

This is an extremely late post but I felt I needed to reply...

I had a discogram YEARS ago, and I am bracing myself for another one.

This is a followup to an extremely painful myelogram I endured two days ago.

Unfortunately, Folks, we sometimes have to deal with even more pain before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

:grouphug: <---- I know I could use one right now!!!


Sara
24 years Old